Tasmanian beekeepers are on alert after the federal government abandoned its strategy to eradicate varroa mite, the parasitic pest that has resulted in tens of thousands of hives on the mainland being destroyed in attempts to contain its spread.
Detected in New South Wales 15 months ago, 30,000 hives have since been euthanased under eradication efforts, with concern that the mite could lead to the collapse of bee populations.
The switch by the federal government from eradication to a management strategy has prompted calls for members of the $13 million Tasmanian beekeeping industry to take greater precautions against the mite — which has not yet reached Tasmania.
Varroa destructor is a small mite that attaches to bees and eats their “fat body” — fat bodies of honey bees are the insect equivalent of a liver.
Varroa weakens bees, reduces their life span and increases the spread of deadly viruses.
Hoping the ‘moat’ will hold
Beekeeper Jenni McLeod saw first-hand the impact that Australia’s eradication strategy had on her NSW counterparts.
Ms McLeod, the Southern Tasmanian Beekeepers Association board member and founder of the Bee Collective, described her involvement in euthanising 81 hives in NSW as “the worst, the most devastating day” in her beekeeping career.
“Seeing those beekeepers on the ground and what they were losing was absolutely devastating,” she said.
Despite accepting the change in strategy, Ms McLeod fears what damage the mite may wreak on beekeepers and the pollination-dependent crop industry — which is estimated to be worth over $165 million.
“Varroa mite is deadly for bees,” she said.
“It carries diseases that affect bees and we are deeply concerned about what … it could mean for Tasmania, not just beekeepers in the industry of beekeeping, but also orchardists, crop growers, [and] people who rely on bees for pollination.”
Ms McLeod is now urging her fellow keepers to screen for the mite, and is hopeful what she described as the “moat” of Bass Strait would help hold off the mite’s spread.
“It’s spring, it’s time to do those checks on your apiary,” she said.
Opportunities for improved practice
Julian Wolfhagen, the owner and manager of The Tasmanian Honey Company and chair of the Tasmanian Crop Pollination Association, is glad that the attempt to eradicate the mite has been called off.
“It’s one of those decisions that really should have happened … some time ago,” he said.
“We were up against it from the outset really, and while we had to give it a try, it’s been obvious for some time now that [it] was a losing battle.”
Mr Wolfhagen said that while the potential spread of the mite to Tasmania would result in extra expenses for his business, it wouldn’t threaten the viability of the company.
However, he was concerned that additional pollination costs would see further hikes in Australian food prices.
